The South Korean government is considering a proposal on December 3 to start its own 'scientific' whaling program

Tell the Prime Minister of South Korea that there is no place for the needless slaughter of whales.

South Korea's name might be added to the short list of countries who needlessly slaughter whales.

On December 3, the South Korean government will consider a proposal to establish a 'scientific' whaling program. If they do, the first harpoons could be fired in less than six months. It's up to us to make sure that doesn't happen.

South Korea first announced plans to start a 'scientific' whaling program of its own in July at the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The plan was strongly opposed by the anti-whaling nations, but it was supported by pro-whaling countries like Iceland, Norway and Japan.

A media storm followed the announcement with thousands of critical articles appearing all over the world. Soon there were reports that South Korea had changed its mind. The reports were wrong.

Backed by what remains of its old whaling industry and countries like Japan, South Korea's fisheries ministry is pushing hard to resume whaling. But this is the Prime Minister's call and government sources have indicated that "other issues" will be considered before making the decision. That means global political pressure.

Greenpeace and other organizations have been working hard to transform the IWC and end whaling once and for all. We've made a lot of progress — winning reforms that make it harder for countries like Japan to buy votes and pushing to create a whale sanctuary in the Southern Atlantic.

However, if South Korea starts a 'scientific' whaling program, the IWC has no power to stop it. The time to stop this plan is now. We have people working in South Korea, but they need your support. Let's not allow South Korea to take us backwards.